John Rustad says he has been invited back to B.C. Conservative caucus as election prospect looms

Former British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, days after Kerry-Lynne Findlay expelled him near the end of her tenure as leader. Findlay resigned Sunday, and Lorne Doerkson was appointed interim leader of the Opposition. Rustad says Doerkson contacted him by text message and asked him to return.

The governing B.C. NDP caucus met Sunday night to discuss the possibility of an early election following Findlay’s resignation. The prospect would put voters to the polls while the Opposition has no fixed candidate to become premier. Under the Conservative constitution, Doerkson cannot seek the party’s permanent leadership.

Rustad said many people in B.C. do not know the Cariboo-Chilcotin legislator, but called Doerkson a “quality individual” and said he would be happy for him to lead the party into an election if he wants to. On speculation about the Conservatives’ future, Rustad said former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell need to “let politics go” and recognize that “their time is over.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2026.